The Community Development Project is a compulsory fulfillment of the Nursing course in IVA Para Medical Campus. This project is conducted as a group project during the first semester. The students are provided with the opportunity to interact with the community and gain a piece of specific knowledge and develop their skills including teamwork skills, leadership skills, and communication skills. The main objective is to undertake a community-based project and to implement social development as teamwork.
In order to implement the project, Nursing students of IVA paramedical campus in Rathnapura had a noble opportunity to visit a home for the elderly, “C. Samarathunga Elder’s home” located in Rathnapura. Both students and elders spent quality time experiencing the daily routines of elderly care, understanding the chronic aging conditions, and physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of senior citizens, and also the students were encouraged to provide meals for the elderly as well. Both parties had an unforgettable experience enjoying the priceless moments as much as they could.
There are many ways to facilitate the enhancement of the quality of life for individuals in elderly care homes. The student nurse can be of great importance for the quality of care, especially when it comes to frail residents who spend their time in senior citizen homes.
